I have a project I'm working on which requires a sweep path to be a graphical parametric mathematical function in x, y and z.
ex:
x=1.25*sin(10*t)
y=sin(t)*(12+1.25*cos(10*t))+12
z=cos(t)*(12+1.25*cos(10*t))
(this curve is a groove in the surface a bicycle tire. It spirals around several times and gets subtracted from a solid torus)
I was using an old version of NX I-DEAS and this task was easily accomplished with the "function spline" feature. Is anything like this possible in Inventor? I know I could create a list of points in excel, but I'd really prefer not to.
You will use the Spline in 3D sketch in Inventor.
Create the point set in Excel and import into 3d sketch with the option to create spline.
@Anonymous wrote:You will use the Spline in 3D sketch in Inventor.
Create the point set in Excel and import into 3d sketch with the option to create spline.
Too my understanding, the spline does not associate with the Excel file. Is there an associative way to draw a curve based on a function?
How many points do you need to generate your curve.
No way that I know of to enter a formula to create curve directly.
If not too many - you could create user parameters, but if a lot of points....
There's a plugin for this, though I'm not sure how well it works.
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/pointlinker/
It makes an associative link to an Excel file.
@nannerdw wrote:There's a plugin for this, though I'm not sure how well it works.
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/pointlinker/
It makes an associative link to an Excel file.
That looks like just what I want, but every time I try it to use it, I get the following error prompt:
Unhandled exception has occurred in a component in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040).
When I click the Details button, I see this:
See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box. ************** Exception Text ************** System.IO.FileLoadException: The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040) at PointLinker.PointLinker.Helper.ReadExcel(String fullFileName, ObjectCollection& oPtDataCollc, PointOptionEnum ptOp, Boolean is3D) at PointLinker.PointLinker.Helper.ImportNewPoints(String oFileName) at PointLinker.PointLinker.MainForm.BtnImport_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam) ************** 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The application must also be compiled with debugging enabled. For example: <configuration> <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" /> </configuration> When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer rather than be handled by this dialog box.
When I click the Continue button, nothing happens.
I've attached a copy of the Excel file that I am trying to import.
Hi,
which version of Excel are you using?
I tested PointLinker with Inventor 2012, and Excel puts up an invisible dialog indicating the file has been updated because airship.xls was generated using an older version of Excel (I have Excel 2010 installed).
Whilst this dialog is waiting for input, the PointLinker import command freezes.
If I then open Excel - I see the dialog, and can click on save. The points are then imported as expected (and when I try again all works as normal once the airship file has been updated).
I'll ask the author to investigate - one possibility is that a call into the Excel API is failing because it is an old version.
Cheers
Gary Wassell
EMEA Manager - Developer Technical Services.
Autodesk
@gary.wassell wrote:Hi,
which version of Excel are you using?
I am using "Microsoft Office Excel 2003 (11.8169.8172) SP3".
What is the function that you wish to model? Depending on what it is, there may be a way to get an "exact" representation of it in Inventor. For example, if your function describes a parabola, you can model a parabola by creating the proper cone and slicing it in the appropriate way (the same goes for any formula derived from a conic section, i.e. hyperbola, ellipse, or circle--though it obviously wouldn't be necessary for an ellipse or circle). Even if your curve isn't a conic section, there may be a way to model it with intersections of surfaces.
Post your formula if you would like some extra pairs of eyes on it.
@cwhetten wrote:What is the function that you wish to model? Depending on what it is, there may be a way to get an "exact" representation of it in Inventor. For example, if your function describes a parabola, you can model a parabola by creating the proper cone and slicing it in the appropriate way (the same goes for any formula derived from a conic section, i.e. hyperbola, ellipse, or circle--though it obviously wouldn't be necessary for an ellipse or circle). Even if your curve isn't a conic section, there may be a way to model it with intersections of surfaces.
Post your formula if you would like some extra pairs of eyes on it.
What I am trying to do is draw one of the eight gores, or panels, that would make up a model blimp's envelope. The envelope shape is pretty simple, a revolved ellipse, but the gores have a more difficult to design shape. The length of each gore is equal to the arc length of the envelope going from end to end. The width of each gore varies across its length. This varying width is a function of the circumference of the envelope with respect to the position along the length of the envelope.
I can model the envelope and divide it into eight gores, but I am essentially trying to flatten one of the gores out so that I have something to feed to a CNC machine which can cut the mylar.
I believe the Excel file I shared has the forumlas in it already.
I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to acheive. You have successfully modeled the shape of the gore, and it's easy enough to extract one of them from the envelope model you posted.
Inventor won't automatically create a flat pattern of this shape, if that's what you are looking for.
Do you already know the (x,y) function of the flat shape? I guess I should look at the excel file you posted to see what you have already done.
@cwhetten wrote:I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to acheive. You have successfully modeled the shape of the gore, and it's easy enough to extract one of them from the envelope model you posted.
Inventor won't automatically create a flat pattern of this shape, if that's what you are looking for.
Do you already know the (x,y) function of the flat shape? I guess I should look at the excel file you posted to see what you have already done.
I suppose a summary is in order:
More succinctly, Point Linker does not work and I need help to make it work, please.
Hi,
can you let me have your direct contact details (email them to gary.wassell@autodesk.com)?
We can then work with you directly to resolve the issue with PointLinker.
Thanks
Gary
With the help of a/the Point Linker developer, I now have a working add-on. I suppose the community will see an update to Point Linker, but I will leave such a speculation for the developer(s) to confirm, deny, or neither. Many thanks!
@Anonymous wrote:
- I shared the .ipt file for the envelope divided into gores so that readers could better understand my posts.
More succinctly, Point Linker does not work and I need help to make it work, please.
Is there reason you didn't use the Origin and didn't use the existing Origin workplane and axis and instead re-created these?
Is there a reason your first sketch is missing horizontal constraint on the line and not fully constrained?
Hi,
yes we'll post an update to the PointLinker app on Autodesk Labs in due course.
Cheers
Gary
@Anonymous wrote:Is there reason you didn't use the Origin and didn't use the existing Origin workplane and axis and instead re-created these?Is there a reason your first sketch is missing horizontal constraint on the line and not fully constrained?
I don't remember exactly why, but I probably started the sketch at the origin and then decided to try sketching differenly right below where I started. I think I originally tried to define the outline of the envelope parametrically with a spline, starting at the origin, but it got ugly, so I erased it.
To answer your second question, no, but I hope the part file helped to illustrate my posts as I intended.